Kansas City's Country Club Plaza Christmas Lighting Ceremony

Monica Beyer is a mom of four and has been writing professionally since 2000, when her first book, Baby Talk, was published. Her main area of interest is attachment parenting and all that goes with it, including breastfeeding, co-sleepin...

Light up the night in Kansas City

Join the festivities in Kansas City, Missouri at the Country Club Plaza's annual Christmas lighting ceremony for an awe-inspiring view you and your family will never forget.

The Plaza Lights at Kansas City Country Club

Known locally as the Plaza lights, Kansas City residents enjoy the awesome sight of thousands of Christmas lights decorating the expansive Country Club Plaza's 150 plus shops and restaurants. A tradition since 1930, when a single strand of lights decorated one shop, it has grown to be a huge event that pulls folks from the entire Kansas City metro area, as well as from cities beyond. Over 80 miles of lights are used to decorate the Spanish-style buildings -- a feat that takes weeks to put together.

As with every year, this wondrous spectacle takes place on Thanksgiving, which this year falls on Nov. 24th. There will be a stage set up in front of XXI Forever, which is located at the intersection of Nichols Road and Wyandotte.

The festivities begin with a pre-show performance that starts at 5:15 pm and the main program, culminating in the flipping of the switch, begins at 6 p.m. Performers include several choirs as well as dancers. Arrive early if you want to glimpse the stage, or choose another area of the Plaza to observe. There isn't a bad seat, but take care to dress for the weather and consider leaving the youngest ones at home due to the crowd and the wait.

This year, the switch will be flipped by actor Eric Stonestreet who plays on the ABC series Modern Family. The single switch will spring to life the entire display at the same moment.